Joe Augenblick: Retired Air Force captain spent life dancing

December 27, 2013|By Jon Busdeker, Orlando Sentinel

No one ever called Joe Augenblick a wallflower.

Whether traveling across the country for dancing conferences or instructing others, Augenblick was an avid round dancer — a form of ballroom dancing — for more than 30 years. And most of that time he spent dancing with his favorite partner: his wife, Madeline Augenblick.

"They were a striking couple on the floor," said Richard Lamberty, a family friend who learned how to dance from the Augenblicks. "They had a love of dancing their whole lives."

Augenblick, a longtime Orlando resident who moved to Lakeland in recent years, died Dec. 15. He was 93.

Born in San Francisco, Augenblick grew up in Vancouver, Wash. The son of a U.S. Army Air Corps musician, Augenblick enlisted in the Air Corps — a precursor to the U.S. Air Force — in 1940.

Working in various roles, including drill instructor, Augenblick came to Orlando Army Air Base in 1943.

On his first night in Central Florida, Augenblick attended a USO dance, where he met Madeline Bogard. In an autobiography meant for his family, Augenblick wrote that he asked the "nice-looking blonde girl" to dance.

"We have been dancing together ever since," Augenblick wrote.

But it would be two more years before the couple would marry. Later in 1943, Augenblick was transferred to India and didn't return to Orlando until 1945. The couple kept up through letters, said his daughter-in-law Elsie Augenblick.

Once married, the Augenblicks had two sons. The couple settled in Orlando's Coytown neighborhood in the 1950s, staying there for more than a half-century. Son John Augenblick, 63, of Lakeland said his dad was a member of the Elks, the Masons and Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He also enjoyed tennis.

After 25 years in the Air Force, Augenblick, who spent much of his career in family services, retired as a captain. He continued working as a civil servant into the 1970s.

But it was dancing that kept Augenblick and his wife busy. The couple were known internationally for round dancing. Much like square dancing, round dancing has someone calling the steps. The dances are done in unison and are often complex.

For decades, the couple taught round dancing to thousands of beginners and intermediates at several venues in Orlando, including a facility at Trotters Park and the Beardall Senior Center. The couple even put an addition — with hardwood floors — on their house in order to practice dancing.

Lamberty, their friend, said he spent so much time with the couple that they often referred to him as their third son.

Lamberty, 54, of Orlando now teaches round dance.

"I could never repay all that they have given me," he said.

On Valentine's Day 2007, Augenblick and his wife moved into a retirement home in Miami, where they continued dancing for as long as they could. Augenblick's wife died in 2012. A little more than year later, Augenblick, after suffering advanced dementia, died a day shy of his 94th birthday.

Elsie Augenblick said the couple are "dancing up there now."

In addition to son John, Augenblick is survived by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.